Pakistani doctor arrested after 90 infected by HIV syringe

Officials in Pakistan noted that at least 90 people, including 65 children, are believed to have been infected with HIV due to a doctor using a contaminated syringe.

The local police chief  Kamran Nawaz noted that they have arrested a doctor after receiving complaints from the health authorities. He added that they are told that the doctor also has HIV. Authorities were first alerted last week after 18 children living on the outskirts of the city tested positive for the virus, which causes AIDS, prompting health officials to carry out wider screenings. Dozens of more infections were found. Authorities said they traced the outbreak to a single doctor, who appears to have been using a contaminated syringe on patients. Azra Pechuho, Sindh province's health minister, confirmed his arrest. He said the blood of the parents of the infected children was also tested, but their results were negative. Officials have since launched an even larger testing and education drive. Pakistan is considered a low prevalence country for HIV, but the disease is expanding - mostly among intravenous drug users, sex workers and migrant labourers returning from the Gulf.